A Guide to Solar System and Installation
- 1. SOLAR ENERGY AND PV DESIGN
- 2. OUTLINE Introduction To Solar Energy & Technology Photovoltaic (PV) Systems Components of a Solar Panel Connection Of PV Modules Sizing A System (Solar Project Design Consideration) Design
- 3. INTRODUCTION SOLAR ENERGY involves capturing the energy from the sun and converting it into electricity. We use that electricity to light and heat our homes, power machines, illuminate our streets. The sun energy is in the form of solar radiation (light), solar radiation makes the production of SOLAR ENERGY possible. We also call it SOLAR POWER. A large area of land with hundreds/thousands of solar panels is a Solar Farm/Plant. And today, there are thousands of solar farms worldwide. Solar Energy is a type of renewable energy. Renewable energy means that the energy source never runs out. Wind energy, geothermal energy, biomass energy, and tidal energy are also types. So is hydroelectricity.
- 4. INTRODUCTION
- 5. INTRODUCTION Currently there are three existing and utilized solar technologies; Solar Photovoltaic, Solar Hot water, and concentrated solar power. This presentation focuses on Solar Photovoltaic systems, which can be used to generate electricity from dispersed sites like residential rooftops Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Hot Water Concentrated Solar Power
- 6. PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS Photovoltaic (PV) systems convert light energy directly into electricity. Commonly known as “solar cells.” PV cell consists of two or more thin layers of semi conductive materials most commonly silicon. When the silicon is exposed to light, electrical charges are generated and this can be conducted away by metal contact as a direct current. There are three types of PV Systems; Monocrystalline, Polycrystalline and Amorphous Solar Panels. Monocrystalline is more efficient but expensive and are made using pure silicon. Polycrystalline are a little expensive and slightly less efficient; the cells are grown in single crystal but in a large block of many crystal. Amorphous are not really crystals, but a thin layer of silicon deposited base material such as metal or glass to create the solar panel.
- 7. COMPONENTS OF A SOLAR SYSTEM
- 8. CONNECTION OF PV MODULES When two or more PV modules are connected in series, the voltage of each panel are added together but the current remains the same. When connected in parallel, the voltage of each panel remains the same and the currents of each panel is added. The PV cells can then be connected to get a desired amount of voltage or current. PV modules can then be wired together to create PV arrays.
- 9. CONNECTION OF PV MODULES Series connection Parallel connection Series and Parallel connection
- 10. SOLAR PROJECT DESIGN CONSIDERATION In sizing a system a lot of things must be put into consideration. SOLAR PV: Open Circuit Voltage (Voc) is the maximum voltage available from a solar PV and this occur at zero current (No load connected). Short Circuit Current (Isc) is the maximum current from a Solar PV when the voltage across it is zero. CHARGE CONTROLLER: Charge controller are rated in ampere; 20A, 30A, 40A, 60A, and 80A. Two main factors to be considered in charge controller are voltage and current. The current or voltage in the PV array must be less than or equals the current or voltage of the charge controller.
- 11. SOLAR PROJECT DESIGN CONSIDERATION (CONT.) INVERTER: Inverters are rated in volts (12V, 24, 36 and 48). It is determine by the battery connected. For energy to flow from the PV to the inverter, the voltage from the PV must be higher than that in the inverter. Power inverter converts low DC to 220/240 volts AC. BATTERY: The batteries are rated in ampere-hour (AH).
- 12. DESIGN The cost of implementation and design of a SOLAR SYSTEM depends on the load and the operation time in hours. Example: Design a PV System that is suppose to run for 12Hours everyday and will power the following set of electrical appliances. Appliances Unit Unit Wattage (W) Total Wattage (W) AC 2 50 100 Bulb 10 5 50 HP Printer 1 200 200 Computer 2 40 80 Standing Fan 2 60 120 Television 3 50 150 TOTAL 700
- 13. DESIGN SOLUTION 1000𝑊 = 1𝐾𝑊 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 = 700 1000 = 0.7𝐾𝑊 For the system to work for 12 hours everyday = 12 × 0.7 = 8.4 𝐾𝑊ℎ COMPLETE GUIDE FOR THE INSTALLATION L𝑜𝑎𝑑 = 700𝑊 Inverter should be greater 25 % than the total load 700 × 25 100 = 175𝑊 𝐼𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 = 700 + 175 = 𝟖𝟕𝟓𝑾
- 14. DESIGN The required back up time in hours is = 3ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠 Suppose we are going to install 100Ah, 12Volts battery 12 × 100 = 1200𝑊ℎ Now for one battery (the backup time of one battery) 1200𝑊ℎ 700 = 1.71ℎ𝑟𝑠 But our required backup time is 3 hours 3 1.71 = 1.75 The value can now be approximated to 2 We will now connect, two batteries each of 100Ah, 12Volts.
- 15. DESIGN The PV panel/module most be greater than or equals the number of batteries needed, for efficient energy and power supply i.e 2 panels and/or above are required. From the above given example, the system is required to be implemented using Solar Technology is similar to computer or cell phone technology in that as there are higher adoption rates, prices decreases. Component Specification Unit Unit Cost (N) Total Cost (N) Solar Panel 4 Charge Controller 1 Inverter 1kW 1 Batteries 100AH, 12V 2 Total
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